Andrey Smirnov skipped Russia to a winning start ©World Curling
Defending champions Russia began the defence of their World Wheelchair Curling Championship title by thrashing Germany 12-1 at the Eizentrun Luzern  in Lucerne today.

Andrey Smirnov, the winning skip from last year in Lohja in Finland, has returned with three members of that winning line-up, Alexander Shevchenko, Marat Romanov and Svetlana Pakhomova,

Konstantin Kurokhtin has joined the ranks and the Russians were far too strong for the Germans as the round robin phase of the tournament began today.

After opening a 1-0 lead following the opening end, the Russians claimed three shots in the second to establish a 4-0 advantage.

Two points followed in ends three and four before a massive four in end five put Russia, the Paralympic silver medallists, 12-0 up.

Hosts Switzerland defeated Paralympic gold medallists Canada in their opening match of the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Lucerne ©World Curling
Hosts Switzerland defeated Paralympic gold medallists Canada in their opening match of the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Lucerne ©World Curling

The Germans did record a point in the next end before the contest was conceded.

Two other games were played.

Hosts Switzerland enjoyed a winning start by beating Paralympic champions Canada and their gold medal winning skip Jim Armstrong 7-2. 

Norway beat the United States 10-4, with competition set to continue tomorrow with four further matches.

China are due to play Finland, Russia will meet South Korea, Norway will play Germany and Switzerland will collide with Slovakia.